OPPOSITION MP Everald Warmington (South West St Catherine) wants any mark made on a ballot paper by an elector, and any writing instrument used to make the mark, accepted as legal.

In a motion tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday, Warmington said that any writing instrument other than the “black lead pencil”, prescribed in the Representation of the People Act should be allowed, as well as any mark other than the “cross”, which the Act also prescribes.

Jamaican voters use a black lead pencil, provided by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), to mark an “X” on their ballots.

Warmington, quoting from the Representation of the People Act, said: “The elector on receiving the ballot paper shall forthwith enter one of the polling compartments and there mark his ballot by making a cross with a black lead pencil within the space containing the name of the candidate for whom he intends to vote.”

Last night, Director of Elections Danville Walker was in a meeting when contacted by telephone and was unable to explain how the “cross” became a “X”. However, he admitted that the Representation of the People Act “refers to a cross: like the one on which Jesus was crucified”.

Warmington said yesterday that he only wants the voting process simplified.

He told the Observer yesterday that his resolution was triggered by incidents occurring on election day, including the replacement of the black lead pencil with unauthorised markers, which result in ballots being declared void.

“.Provide any implement that an elector finds convenient, or appropriate to use to make the required mark, lawful,” he suggested.

“.Make any mark placed on a ballot by an elector in the place containing the name of the candidate of his choice valid and not limited to a cross,” added the South West St Catherine MP.

However, considering that a general election is so imminently close, it is unlikely that even if a change was agreed it would be done in time.